Live Brown University Active Shooter Dispatch Audio Describes Multiple Victims, Scary Scene

An active shooter left a trail of victims at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, on December 13. Brown University confirmed there was "an active shooter situation" on the campus, urged students to hide and lock doors, and released contradictory information about a potential suspect.

"Multiple shot in the area of Brown University," Providence police wrote on X. "This is an active investigation. Please shelter in place or avoid the area until further notice." Authorities have not yet confirmed the number of victims and whether any are deceased. However, the live dispatch audio painted a scary scene with multiple victims shot, including in the back, people reported "DOA" in buildings, and a massive law enforcement response.

CBS News reported, via a law enforcement source, that "preliminary information indicates that at least two victims were dead and about 20 others were injured." Those injured might "not all have sustained gunshot wounds," CBS News noted.

"From police, they're now saying 20 victims. 2-0," a dispatcher said early on in the live scanner audio, obtained by Men's Journal through Broadcastify archives. "We're getting reports of 20 people." (Be forewarned that sometimes in fast-moving active shooter situations, early reports can be contradictory or even change.) That report on the scanner came in at about 4:31 p.m. ET, and authorities had not publicly provided a casualty or victim count. A second officer called in a few minutes later and described "multiple victims." Later in the audio, though, a dispatcher said, "We're getting reports that there might be six people now. We're just trying to work with the police." Again, active shooter scenes commonly have contradictory information early on.

"There are two DOAs," an officer said, referring to a building on campus, while another said there were reports of "shots fired" in a building. The "shooter has been taken by police," an officer said at another point, although the university later said no suspects were in custody. The president then said a suspect was in custody. "We have a report from the police that the shooter is down," said an officer. However, Brown University then wrote, "Urgent: Situation remains ongoing. Continue to shelter in place. Law enforcement on site." Officers said there were victims shot in the back and the shoulder.

The scanner audio made it clear that there was a massive and urgent police response to the scene, with officers clearing buildings, looking for victims, and giving aid. "I will need any active shooter task forces you have with their vests and helmets," an officer said on the live dispatch audio. A dispatcher said at one point that the initial call came from an address that traces to the Brown Sciences Library. There were two victims in the Geo-Chem building, a dispatcher told police at another point.

An Officer Called It a 'Mass Casualty Incident' on the Live Dispatch Audio

Officers called for mutual aid. "It's officially going to be a mass casualty incident," an officer said on the scanner. "If there's possibly 20 victims, we're going to need as much mutual aid as you can get." The dispatcher responded, "Affirmative," and added that she was working with emergency responders.

The university posted a series of warnings on its website on December 13. "There's an active shooter situation near Barus & Holley. Brown and Providence Police are on scene. Continue to shelter at this time. One suspect in custody," the second alert says. It was posted by the university at 4:51 p.m. ET on December 13.

BREAKING UPDATE: No suspect is in custody after reports of a shooting at Brown University. A previous alert from the university said one suspect was in custody. https://t.co/E8zj54GDIg pic.twitter.com/isDqFkw3vr

— CNN (@CNN) December 13, 2025

"Lock doors, silence phones and stay stay hidden until further notice," Brown University wrote. "Remember: RUN, if you are in the affected location, evacuate safely if you can; HIDE, if evacuation is not possible, take cover; FIGHT, as a last resort, take action to protect yourself," Brown University wrote. In an earlier alert, at 4:22 p.m., the university wrote, "Urgent: There's an active shooter near Barus & Holley Engineering."

However, at 5:11 p.m., the university clarified: "Urgent: Continue to shelter in place. Remain away from Barus & Holley area. Police do not have a suspect in custody and continue to search for suspect(s). Brown coordinating with multiple law enforcement agencies on site. Emergency medical on scene. Stay tuned for further safety information." An officer said, "Make an emergency notification." The president then posted on social media that there was a suspect in custody.

Broadcastify, which broadcasts live scanner reports, wrote, "FR/Mass Casualty Incident] 184 Hope St, Providence, Active Shooter at Brown University with 20+ Victims, Shooter is down." That message was based on the early dispatch accounts, though, which, again, can change.

You can listen to the live scanner traffic here. Many officers were talking about clearing buildings on the scanner. "We have plenty of resources, but we may need them," an officer said of an offer for additional first responders. Officers spoke of a "rescue task force" on the scanner.

In the archived scanner audio, officers spoke about helping wounded people. "Rescue one just transported one victim," an officer said just after 4:22 p.m. ET in the audio.

Brown University Also Alerted the Campus Community to an 'Active Shooter' in a Text Message, Reports Say

ABC 6 News "obtained a text alert sent to members of the campus community alerting them of an active shooter and urging them to lock doors and stay hidden," that news station reported on December 13. "The incident is occurring near Thayer Street," the station reported.

"Police are currently responding to an active shooter situation at Brown University," ABC 6 News reported.

"ATF agents are responding to the Brown University active shooter incident. Law enforcement requests the public to stay out of the area and follow directions of local and state authorities," the ATF wrote.

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